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Blizzard cans the GameCube version of Ghost. Details inside.
by Matt Casamassina
November 3, 2005 - The GameCube version of Blizzard's forever-in-development action-stealth title, StarCraft: Ghost, has been cancelled, according to the company. The PlayStation 2 and Xbox builds are still very much in development and expected to release sometime next year.
Ghost, which has been a work-in-progress for several years, was once primarily designed to deliver a polished single-player experience. The action-stealth title followed a Ghost named Nova as she snuck around locations and did battle with such famous alien creatures as the Zerg. However, many months ago Blizzard contracted a new software house, Swingin' Ape Studios (Metal Arms: A Glitch in the System), to take over the game and the company began work on an added online multiplayer option. This apparently led to the GCN build's demise.
"Unfortunately the GameCube version of the game was decided to be dropped," a Blizzard representative confirmed this week on the developer's official message boards. "In order to provide the game envisioned by the console team a set and readily available online solution was needed. Unfortunately the GameCube has no online service and since so much work is going in to the online portion, it would be additional work to release only part of the intended game."
Asked by a fan why the GCN build of Ghost didn't simply make use of GameCube's broadband adapter, as SEGA did with Phantasy Star Online, the company's representative replied: "I believe the GameCube network adapters were discontinued within the US. That would mean it would be necessary for us to include an adapter with each copy sold. While a great deal of focus is being put in to the online multiplayer, it's not enough to warrant the extra cost of a copy of the game for consumers if it had to include the network adapter. In any case there are many reasons why the GameCube version was cut, but it all boils down to being able to provide the best game experience possible to our fans."
The termination of Ghost for GCN is doubly unfortunate because even before last year's E3 show Blizzard had fully playable GameCube builds up and running.
Does the cancellation of Ghost for GameCube spell less Blizzard support for Nintendo systems? Not necessarily, according to Blizzard. "Nintendo systems certainly aren't something that we are against supporting. Blizzard in its entirety is based upon earlier games for Nintendo systems. The GameCube and Revolution will still be considered for future products," the firm's rep wrote.
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Source:
IGN
Let us count the ways in which this sucks. A game which was primarily slated as a Gamecube title until Sony and Microsoft showed heavy interest is now no longer being released as a Gamecube title at all. It seems as though the PS2 and XBox win this round, due to the unexpected emphasis on online play.
Is this fair? Of course not. Ghost's original primary focus was on single-player. Then, someone else steps in and says "let's make it online!" and everyone rejoices. Except for Nintendo fans. Because Nintendo discontinued the broadband adapter in the States. And Blizzard dropped the project.
And to think, I anticipated this game for years for no reason.
11-04-2005, 05:05 AM
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